Despite an audible ripple of disappointment when it was announced that both Rem Koolhaas and Janet Street-Porter would be absent from last night's final debate, the evening was both argumentative and stimulating. The central theme, on whether London could be both big and beautiful, focused on new development and the city's growing population. Paul Finch, editor of the Architectural Review and host... Read MorePosted by: Jaffer Kolb on 26/06/07

watch the debates in the videos section

The debates are now up and running, but if you were unlucky enough to miss the two so far, you can watch highlights in our Videos section.... Read MorePosted by: Kieran Long on 24/06/07

prime minister assesses new architecture in london!

This week the shortlist for the 2007 Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award was announced. The 17 projects selected represent a predictable array of the bold, the beautiful and the responsible. While the group of projects are geographically diverse across the UK, six were from London.

Curiously four of these were ... Read MorePosted by: Jaffer Kolb on 21/06/07

we need to reassess new architecture in london

Financial Times critic Edwin Heathcote has just sent us this a striking indictment of new architecture in London. From Palimpsests to the superficiality of green architecture, few large-scale developments escape the criticisms levelled at a generation of architecture that both ignores and refuse... Read MorePosted by: Jaffer Kolb on 21/06/07

read the articles

We are now just one day away from the first debate at Tate Modern, but before that, do take a few minutes to check out the brilliant articles section, which is now chock full of opinion on subjects from planning to the Read MorePosted by: Kieran Long on 20/06/07

blueprint for london

With all the changes London is presently undergoing, not to mention those that the future holds, the role of architects to create new mechanisms, typologies, and infrastructure to meet new social and climatic needs is increasingly paramount to the profession.

Karsten Huneck has contributed a great article describing the work of his Office of Subversive Architecture (osa). While many architects bemoan the lack of design opportunities in "built-out" London, osa continues to find witty and creative opportunities to erect temporary follies, including a te... Read MorePosted by: Jaffer Kolb on 18/06/07

why north is north and south is south

Cab drivers may not like going south of the river, but luckily for us, Julian Lewis of East Architects does. He has written a thought-provoking piece for Debate London that finally explains why north and south feel so... Read MorePosted by: Kieran Long on 14/06/07

house prices soar through the roof shocker

The Evening Standard runs another story to strike fear into the hearts of those who do not own their houses. The cost of buying a house in London will be 10 times the average salary in the city by 2026 if housing supply does not increase. Read MorePosted by: Kieran Long on 07/06/07